Hancock Springs

Hancock Springs has been a popular destination for swimming at least since the 1880′s. Back in the 19th Century people came here seeking the health benefits of the spring water. A sign in front of Hancock Park claims the bathing pools at Hancock Springs are the oldest in the state. The original bath house, built in 1883, has been preserved by the community and is right next to the modern pool, that was built in 1911. This newer pool has been maintained by the city and is still in use today.

The pool at Hancock Springs is what they call a free flowing pool. The water from the spring is channeled to one end of the pool. This spring water then flows across the pool and in turn flows out of the pool and is channeled to Sulphur Creek which is near by. So, this is not like a regular pool that has filters and chlorine to keep the water clear. It’s just the constant flow of water and the origin of the water that keeps the pool clean.

On first site you may think the pool is not clean. That was my own first impression. It has a sort of drab green tint to it that is deceptive. The water comes from underground sources. It’s loaded with minerals that give it a turquoise tint. A dip in this pool was all it took to confirm that it was quite clean and wonderful to swim in. The water coming out of the spring has a constant temperature of 69 degrees. A little cold but refreshing once you get in. On a hundred degree day, it’s simply wonderful to cool off here.

Some pools with spring sources have a sulphur odor, but I encountered none of that at Hancock Springs. The water is very good here. The pool is quite big, and was not at all busy the day I was there. The surroundings are nice: trees, grass, picnic tables, shade, all the important accommodations are present.

Hancock Springs pool is highly recommended for anyone looking for the “old school pool” experience. I’ve already said it was over 100 degrees the day I was there. Someone I spoke to that day told me about the new pool, across town, at the site of Hanna Springs. The city built a new pool there a few years ago. She told me that that new pool was really nice. Then in the same breath she said: “but that water is hot!” I love the history of this place, but setting that aside, the cool clean water of this pool make it a very good pick on a hot day.

I asked about the schedule for the rest of 2011, and I was told that the pool would be open regular hours, sees city web site, until August 20. School starts there on August 22 and after that the pool will be open on weekends until it gets too cold. I have checked on pool hours before and can tell you if you call the city’s central phone number, the operator will get you the information you need.

The Hostess House

The Hostess House is a two story building, right next to the Hancock Springs Pool. This building was originally constructed in the 1920′s, and it complimented the pool, providing changing rooms and a place for dances and public gatherings. In the 1940′s a golf course was added to Hancock Park and the Hostess House was improved. Through the years this public building had provided a place for locals to gather, dance, have proms, weddings, and so on. Today the property still is used for pretty much the same purpose. Weddings, a catering company operates out of the building and runs the Green Frog Tea Room. During the week you can stop to eat here and see the inside of the building.

 Town Square

On a cooler day I would have found a place to eat German food, but it was too hot on the day of my visit. The town square hasn’t changed much since my last visit. One thing new that I noticed is The Waters of Lampasas walk path. A display of murals related to the waters of the area, and located in an alley off the Square. Also new, an old sign uncovered on an old store front right next to the walk path. I’ll include photos of both of these new features below.

Wrap Up

I stopped at Storms for a burger. Lampasas is the location of the original Storms Drive-in. I will write a separate article about them since I have several pictures to share. I usually look for ethnic food when in Lampasas. Like I said, it was too hot for a heavy meal when I visited in July. I had read about a place called the Sweet Pickle Deli in the same area as Hancock Park. Sure enough, the place is just a couple tenths of a mile south of the park heading towards Burnet. The deli is tiny but charming. It’s not a full menu restaurant, more like a catering business with an open front door and daily specials. I don’t want to go on about this place, but just want to say it was a great experience for me. Check them out on the Web and find a map in Google maps: 512-556-8330.

Related to Lampasas

Lampasas Texas History and Trip Guide

Lampasas Texas County Courthouse

Storm’s Drive-in in Lampasas Texas

Map of Hancock Springs

Images

Oakdale Park, Glen Rose Texas

Oakdale Park has a long history in Glen Rose Texas. Even before the park was built, the land and the water wells attracted people to stay here. The park, swimming pool, and bath house were built in 1925. More recently, the park has been purchased by the City of Glen Rose.

It’s not hard to find negative reviews for this park on the Web, and I have read some of them. Oakdale Park and just about everything in Oakdale Park is old. Just to be fair though, old does not always equal bad. The little cabins seem out of place today. The bath house and, well, just about everything else is old, mostly functional, but old. On the other hand, the pool, built in 1925, is enormous, even by today’s standards. The pool and the abundant shade around the pool make it one of the best places to swim in Glen Rose.

The history of Oakdale is interesting. Everyone calls this place Oakdale Park, but the sign out front of the park tells a slightly different story. It says, Oakdale Park, Motor Inn, Camping. That old sign is a clue to the history of  Oakdale Park. The park is, in reality, a surviving roadside camp and motor court. Motels as we know them today didn’t exist before the 1940′s. In the 1920′s and early 1930′s roadside camps gave road trip travelers a place to stay along the road but offered very little in the way of amenities. Eventually, accommodations became more elaborate. Cabins offered indoor plumbing and an opportunity for travelers to get indoors and out of the weather.  Oakdale Park is, among other things, a surviving 1930′s Motor Court.

Oakdale Park is an unobtrusive place. There’s no gate fee. Visitors can come in and look around. They rent trailer spaces and cabins, but swimming is a popular reason to stop here. The location of this place is outstanding. Big Rocks Park is just across the street, and Historic Downtown Glen Rose is just maybe a half-mile up the road.

Where

Oakdale Park is located in Glen Rose Texas one-half mile south of US 67 on Hwy 144 S. It’s on the road that goes to the historical downtown and is across the street from Big Rocks Park.

For more information and a map do a Google search for “Oakdale Park in Glen Rose.” Right now their web site isn’t working.

Vintage Roadside has a wonderful history of motor courts, roadside camps, and motels.

For more information about the Glen Rose area see our Glen Rose Texas Guide.

Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Texas

Located just northwest of Glen Rose, Dinosaur Valley State Park is a 1500-acre scenic park. Although the key attraction at this park is the dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River, there are many other ways to enjoy a day here. Other activities include camping, hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding, river swimming and fishing.

This park lies within the Cross Timbers region of the state, and the grasslands and woodlands make for a refreshing outdoors experience. A new effort seems to be under way to develop this aspect of the park; recent trail development and signage emphasize this aspect of the park. The wildflowers in Spring, and the native grasses in Fall are very attractive here.

This park is very popular. Based on attendance, one of the top state parks in Texas. Dinosaur Valley State Park seems to attract many families with children. This park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The dinosaur tracks in the river bed, the educational displays, and the two model dinosaurs from the 1964 New York World’s Fair combined are bound to be way more interesting than a bunch of pictures in a 4th grade science book.

The dinosaur tracks are in the river bed, and hard to locate when the river is up. Just as a backup plan, you can see a track at the Somervell County Museum in Glen Rose Texas.

Where

1629 Park Road 59
Glen Rose, Texas 76043

Just west of Glen Rose off Highway 67, watch for the signs for Park Road 59 and FM 205.

For more information about the Glen Rose area see our Glen Rose Texas Guide.

Somervell County Picnic Area Number 50

As you travel west from Glen Rose Texas on US Highway 67, you will pass through a hilly area. The change in scenery is pleasant after so much flat land. The road climbs up and up, until you come to the final steep climb. There’s a road side park at the very top of this hill. There’s really nothing there except the view and usually a cool breeze. Technically the place is called Somervell County Picnic Area No. 50.

A bronze plaque says that the park is dedicated to Walter Allen, a Maintenance Construction Foreman for the Texas Highway Department, dated 1973. Another sign says the land was donated by the Gibbs family, dated 1958. There’s an assortment of odd gathered and volcanic rocks used in a wall and curbing. Some larger rocks are used to create a monument of sorts.

These parks dot the landscape all across Texas. I believe they date back to a different era of travel. So may of them are little-used. This one seems popular, for the view and for the cool breeze that often blows through it.

Where

Eight or nine miles west of Glen Rose Texas on Highway 67.

For more information about the Glen Rose area see our Glen Rose Texas Guide.

Big Rocks Park, Glen Rose Texas

Where

More Images

Big Rocks Park, Glen Rose Texas

Big Rocks Park, Glen Rose Texas

 

 

For more information about the Glen Rose area see our Glen Rose Texas Guide.

Paluxy Heritage Park, Glen Rose Texas

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Paluxy Heritage Park, Glen Rose Texas

Paluxy Heritage Park, Glen Rose Texas

For more information about the Glen Rose area see our Glen Rose Texas Guide.

Cleburne State Park, Cleburne Texas

I visited Cleburne State Park this past weekend, Saturday, April 24, 2010. The wildflower display was great! Really, just about the best I’ve seen in years. In the fields, along the trails, especially the Spillway Trail.

Right now seems to be the time to go see wildflowers in North Texas. I guess you never know when the peek is for wildflowers until it’s passed, but my guess is it’s right now. If I was going to guess a little more, I’d guess the other area state parks, Mineral Wells, Meridian, and Ceder Hill State Parks are also looking wonderful, as are the roadsides along the way.

Here’s a link to a news release about Major Construction, Restoring and Improving Cleburne State Park. This article contains a link to a more extensive list of renovations under way and scheduled to begin in the near future.  Oh, I forgot another local park, Lake Whitney State Park.

So, that’s about it. Click on these images for a slide show view of all three images.

Spillway Trail at Cleburne State Park

Cleburne State Park, Cleburne Texas